“You don’t know what you’re capable of until you try.”

Mother-of-one Danielle Pyatt had been a Clinical Support Worker with Walsall Healthcare for 18 months when the opportunity to apply to become a Trainee Nursing Associate came up. Prior to that she’d worked in a nursing home.

“I knew that I wanted to work in a position where I was caring for people and looking after them but in my CSW role I couldn’t progress any further,” she explained.

“I was approached by my ward manager who told me all about the trust being a pilot for Trainee Nursing Associates and said I should apply. It really meant something to be approached by someone who I looked up to and who was so encouraging.”

Danielle, who has a nine-year-old son, admits that she found the thought of going to university a little daunting.

“I hadn’t been in education for about 15 years so I was a bit nervous and it did take me some time to get into the swing of juggling work, study and home life because it is a lot to take on. But you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try and I’m so glad I pushed myself and stayed motivated.

“I was so proud when I passed my assessments and nothing can take that feeling away from you. I work on Ward 17 and the team there was really supportive as well – I’d like to say a special thank you to all of them for their help.

“Being part of the pilot for Trainee Nursing Associates means we’ve all been able to give our feedback for what adjustments need to be made for the next wave. There were some teething issues but we’ve come through them together.

“I’m really pleased to have been offered a job on Ward 17 and I am grateful to Walsall Healthcare for giving me this opportunity.”